4 Things To Remember When The Struggle Gets Real

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They say that what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. But when there’s so much to do and when life is throwing curveball after curveball, you might find yourself in a fetal position sooner than a position of strength. Here are four things to remember next time the going gets tough.

1 | There’s probably a lesson in there somewhere.

Our hardships develop our strengths and challenge our weaknesses. Whether it’s your workload that’s piling up, a relationship that’s falling apart or your job search yielding nil, your struggle is teaching your something — about yourself, your surroundings, your path, etc. Though it may be hard to find the time to introspect while you’re trying to keep your head above water, you might be surprised to find out what your present struggle is revealing to you. Ask yourself: What am I feeling in this moment? How am I handling the situation so far? How could I be mishandling it? You don’t have to wait for the storm to pass to assess what you’ve learned. A little self-reflection during the middle of the storm can, at the very least, help you bear the remaining rain a little bit better.

2 | Don’t freak out.

You know how you’re advised to remain calm and not struggle when you’re trapped in quicksand so you don’t sink as fast? The same rules apply when you’re going through the ringer. Keeping a level head will get you through a stressful time with greater ease than continuous fretting will. Do what calms you. Take more walks, stretch, meditate or listen to uplifting music. Take slow breaths, imagine what it’ll feel like when you’ve overcome your situation and, when you’re ready, continue doing whatever it takes to achieve that feeling.

3 | Someone out there has it worse.

If you believe that people’s experiences are largely affected by their perception, then you probably believe in your ability to improve an experience by changing how you perceive it. Our struggles become less overwhelming when we remember that 1 | we aren’t the only ones struggling, and 2 | things really could be worse. Remember, regardless of what you’re going through, you are blessed, no matter what divine influence you believe in.

4 | There’s beauty in the struggle.

Our lives are complex and interconnected masterpieces crafted by us! They wouldn’t be nearly as colorful if our struggles weren’t there to help us appreciate our victories. But, while it’s impossible to fully value our hardships while in the midst of it all, remember that the challenges in this current moment could very well be stepping stones towards your next triumph. You are in control and your struggles might be challenging you to remember that and prove it.

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Kimberly Kerr is a bassoon enthusiast living in the Bronx. As Founder and Head Writer at empresslife.co, Kimberly is passionate about inspiring young women to pursue their creative dreams with a entrepreneurial attitude.